VA Acting Secretary Visits Baltimore

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Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Associated Press and WBAL Radio

Sloan Gibson, acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (AP Photo)

Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Sloan Gibson met with administrators in Baltimore to outline strategies to improve lengthy wait times for veterans seeking medical assistance in Maryland, where a recent audit showed the average wait time is 81 days for new patients seeking a primary-care doctor.

"Get 'em off waiting lists and get them into clinics," said Sloan. He also said it will a while to build back the trust of the American people and America's Veterans.

During his visit to the VA Medical Center in Baltimore on Tuesday, Gibson said a budget allotment of $500,000 toward connecting veterans awaiting care with outside physicians able to offer prompt treatment, as well as the hiring of five new primary care physicians into the VA system, will help ensure timely medical care for veterans in Maryland.

"Veterans deserve action now and we're not waiting on anything to take that action," he said.

Gibson was appointed to the position 18 days ago. He did not say if he's seeking the job permanently.